Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

15 Feb

US Reduces H-1B Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility from 48 to 12 Months for Indians

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsH1b visa, US

Washington DC (National Times): The United States has revised its eligibility criteria for the Visa Interview Waiver, commonly known as the Dropbox program, for Indian applicants. The eligibility window has been reduced from 48 months to just 12 months, meaning only those whose visas expired within the past year will now qualify for Dropbox processing. What is the Dropbox Program? The Dropbox program allows eligible visa applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This streamlined process has been particularly beneficial for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visa holders, reducing processing…

15 Feb

CVC Orders Probe into Former CM Arvind Kejriwal’s Bungalow Renovation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsArvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (National Times): The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered an investigation into the renovation of 6 Flagstaff Bungalow, the official residence of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The probe comes amid allegations that construction norms were violated to build a lavish mansion spanning 40,000 square yards (8 acres). Following the CVC's directive, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has submitted a factual report regarding the modifications made to Kejriwal’s official residence. However, the CVC has now asked the CPWD to conduct a more detailed inquiry into the matter to determine whether procedural violations occurred. The renovation of…

14 Feb

Donald Trump Imposes ‘Reciprocal Tariffs’ on India, Strengthens Trade and Defense Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDonald Trump, Export Tarrifs, India, Narendra Modi, USA

Washington, DC, February 14, 2025 – US President Donald Trump has announced that India will face reciprocal tariffs, meaning the US will match any duties and taxes that New Delhi imposes on American goods. Trump Pushes for Fair Trade During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump made it clear that he wants a level playing field.“We’re just going to do it the easy way,” Trump said. “Whatever you charge, we charge.”Trump criticized India’s high tariff rates, especially on US-made cars. He described India as one of the highest tariff nations in the world and called for…

14 Feb

‘Why Punjab?’ CM Bhagwant Mann Questions Centre Over Deportation Flights Landing in Amritsar

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Punjab, US Deportation Flight

Amritsar (National Times): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday raised strong objections to the landing of US military aircraft carrying deported illegal Indian immigrants at Amritsar airport, alleging a deliberate attempt by the Centre to malign Punjab’s image. Addressing a press conference, Mann questioned why Amritsar was repeatedly chosen as the landing site for deportation flights, despite illegal immigrants belonging to multiple states. “The first flight carrying 104 deported Indians landed in Amritsar, but only 30 were from Punjab. The rest included 33 from Gujarat, 33 from Haryana, and others from Maharashtra and different states. Now, another deportation flight…

14 Feb

Ranveer Allahbadia Moves Supreme Court Over Multiple FIRs in Comedy Show Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaRanveer Allahbadia

New Delhi (Rajiv Sharma): YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, has approached the Supreme Court seeking protection from coercive action following multiple complaints and FIRs filed against him in different states. The legal proceedings stem from his controversial remarks on the comedy show India’s Got Latent. On February 14, Allahbadia filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, challenging the FIRs before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. However, the CJI declined to advance the scheduled hearing, stating, “We have already given a date of listing. No oral mentioning, please!” Comedy Show Sparks Backlash…

14 Feb

Jagjit Singh Dallewal Bereaved as Granddaughter Rajandeep Kaur Passes Away

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabJagjit Singh Dallewal

Gurugram (National Times): Sardar Jagjit Singh Ji Dallewal has suffered a deep personal loss with the passing of his beloved granddaughter, Rajandeep Kaur. A bright and ambitious student pursuing medicine in Gurgaon, she had been battling health issues and was admitted to the hospital in recent days. Despite all efforts, she tragically passed away last evening. Her untimely demise has left the entire Dallewal family and their loved ones in immense grief. The sorrow was even greater for Sardar Dallewal, as his responsibilities towards the people prevented him from attending her final rites. Rajandeep Kaur’s passing is an irreplaceable loss,…

14 Feb

Two More Deportation Flights Carrying Indians to Arrive in Amritsar This Week

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Illegal immigrant, United States, US

Washington DC (National Times): Two additional flights carrying deported Indian immigrants from the United States are set to land in India this week, following the recent deportation of 104 individuals under the Trump administration’s immigration policies. While the exact number of Indians on these upcoming flights remains unclear, sources indicate that the first of the two flights will arrive in Amritsar on February 15, with another expected in the following days. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has criticized the decision to land these deportation flights in Amritsar, alleging that the NDA-led central government is deliberately attempting to defame Punjab. "Why…

14 Feb

PM Modi Addresses Deportation of Illegal Indian Immigrants from US, Calls for Crackdown on Human Trafficking

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsNarendra Modi, US

Washington DC (National Times): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (Feb 13) addressed the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the United States, emphasizing that individuals residing unlawfully in foreign countries "do not have any legal right to be there." His remarks came during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump amid growing concerns in India over visuals of shackled Indian citizens being deported. During his US visit, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to taking back its citizens who are verified and found to be residing in the US illegally. "As far as India and the US are concerned,…

14 Feb

Adani Green Energy Pulls Out of Sri Lanka Wind Power Projects

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, World NewsAdani Green, Gautam Adani, Sri Lanka, Wind Power Projects

Colombo, February 14, 2025 – Adani Green Energy, the renewable arm of billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, has withdrawn from two proposed wind power projects in Sri Lanka. The decision follows the new government's move to renegotiate tariffs. Withdrawal Cites Policy Changes In a statement, the company confirmed its exit, stating, “Adani Green Energy has conveyed its Board’s decision to respectfully withdraw from further engagement in the renewable energy wind project and two transmission projects in Sri Lanka.”The company had planned to invest $1 billion in wind power generation and transmission infrastructure. However, the newly elected administration under President Anura Kumara…

14 Feb

Trump Calls Modi a ‘Tougher Negotiator,’ Announces Major US-India Agreements

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDonald Trump, India-US relations, Narendra Modi

Washington, DC, February 14, 2025– US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “much tougher negotiator” during a joint press conference on Thursday. He emphasized that there was “not even a contest” when asked who among them was more skilled in negotiations. Strengthening Trade Ties Through IMEC Trump announced that India and the US will collaborate on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). He called it one of the greatest trade routes in history. The corridor will connect India to Israel, Italy, and the US, linking key regions through roads, railways, and undersea cables.“This is a big…